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Plant and maintenance technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, plant and maintenance technicians don't need a college education. The most common degree for plant and maintenance technicians is associate degree with 36% graduates, with only 25% plant and maintenance technician graduates earning high school diploma. Plant and maintenance technicians who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or Capella University. Some good skills to have in this position include perform routine maintenance, industrial maintenance and preventive maintenance.

Popular plant and maintenance technician certifications include EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA), OSHA Safety Certificate , or Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma). To improve plant and maintenance technician qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in plant and maintenance technician education paths.

What education do you need to become a plant and maintenance technician?

What degree do you need to be a plant and maintenance technician?

The most common degree for plant and maintenance technicians is associate degree, with 36% of plant and maintenance technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 25% and high school diploma degree at 19%.
  • Associate, 36%
  • High School Diploma, 25%
  • Bachelor's, 19%
  • Diploma, 11%
  • Other Degrees, 9%

What should I major in to become a plant and maintenance technician?

You should major in electrical engineering technology to become a plant and maintenance technician. 17% of plant and maintenance technicians major in electrical engineering technology. Other common majors for a plant and maintenance technician include electrical engineering and industrial technology.

Best majors for plant and maintenance technicians

20 best online courses for plant and maintenance technicians

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1. SAP Plant Maintenance(PM) Module Online Classes

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3. Garnett Cross Training in the Maintenance of Oil Hydraulics

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4. Rotating Equipment Masterclass: Pumps & Compressors

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5. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

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Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...

6. Reliability and Maintenance Engineering - FMEA

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Failure Mode and Effects Analysis - A mechanical engineering approach to risk management of plant and machinery...

7. Electrical Power Equipment

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Learn how electrical equipments operate and how they fit together into a network...

8. Maintenance Planning Basics

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Understanding maintenance planning basics of successful maintenance department...

9. HVAC Fundamentals and BMS Controls

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Build your knowledge systematically, from the working principles of HVAC to optimizing a chiller plant operation...

10. Maintenance Management Basics

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Crucial knowledge and practices for successful maintenance department...

11. Centrifugal pumps: Principles , Operation and Design

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A complete understanding of construction details and functioning of centrifugal pumps for successful plant operation...

12. Electrical Control & Protection Systems

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This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...

13. Functional Safety for Safety Instrumented Systems

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14. How To Read Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams Made Easy

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All you'll ever need to easily Read P & IDs in one Clear and Concise Course for Plant Operators, Maintenance & Engineers...

15. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

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Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

16. PLC Programming - Training from Scratch on RSLogix500 & 5000

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PLC programming from scratch training class by a controls engineer equipped with PLC systems - Allen Bradley RSLogix 500...

17. Heat Exchangers: Design , Operation & Maintenance

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A complete understanding of construction details , functionning and design of heat exchangers for successful operation...

18. Data Center Essentials: Mechanical & Cooling

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The mechanical cooling systems that support data centers and the internet...

19. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

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Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

20. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide

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Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...

Average plant and maintenance technician salary by education level

According to our data, plant and maintenance technicians with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $52,196 annually. Plant and maintenance technicians with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $51,207.
Plant and maintenance technician education levelPlant and maintenance technician salary
High School Diploma or Less$49,148
Bachelor's Degree$52,196
Some College/ Associate Degree$51,207

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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